How to Install TeamViewer
To start, download TeamViewer on your computer. The service has apps available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS, as well as Android and iOS. We’ll cover Windows here, but the experience is similar across platforms.
When installing, you can select Default installation, as we’ll set up unattended access shortly. TeamViewer is free for personal use, so select Personal / Non-commercial use for the second box and hit Accept to install.
After installation, you’ll see the TeamViewer home screen and are ready to use the service.
How to Connect Using TeamViewer
Using TeamViewer is simple. To start a remote connection, you’ll need your partner’s ID and Password provided on the main menu. If you’re connecting to someone else, ask them to install the app and send you these details via email or other means.
Note that if you’re connecting to someone who isn’t tech-savvy or can’t install the full version of TeamViewer, they can use the Download QuickSupport button on TeamViewer’s download page to download a single-use version.
Enter the Partner ID in the box, make sure you have Remote control selected, and hit Connect. After a few seconds, you’ll see a prompt to provide the other machine’s Password. Enter this and you’ll connect within a moment.
Once you’ve connected, you’ll have full control over the remote computer. Use your mouse and keyboard to work on the other person’s machine just like you were sitting in front of it.
How to Use TeamViewer’s Tools
TeamViewer provides you with some tools and tricks to help with your remote sessions. If you don’t see the toolbar at the top already, click the small down arrow to show it.
Click the Home button and you can review some general information about the remote computer, which is helpful for troubleshooting purposes. Under Actions, you’ll find commands that you can send to the remote machine, including rebooting, Ctrl + Alt + Del, and leaving a note for the person.
Use the options under View to adjust the resolution of the remote session, choose between quality and speed, and decide how the windows display. In the Communication menu, you’ll find options for starting a voice/video call via the internet, sending text chat, and using a whiteboard for illustration.
Finally, expand the Files & Extras section to take a screenshot, record the session, or easily transfer files between machines. In particular, a recording is a great way to create an instructional video that the other person can refer to in the future.
When you’re done, click the X on the left side of the navigation bar to end the session.
How to Set Up Unattended Access in TeamViewer
One of TeamViewer’s best features is unattended access. This allows you to remotely connect to your own computers from any machine running TeamViewer. It takes a bit of preparation to do, but it’s worth it for anyone who uses remote access regularly.
To start, open TeamViewer and you’ll see two boxes under Unattended Access. First, check the box to Start TeamViewer with Windows. This is important so you don’t have to manually run it every time you boot up. It should configure this automatically, but you can set the app to run at Windows startup manually if needed.
Using Unattended Access in TeamViewer
Once you’ve followed the above procedure, that computer is added to your list of machines in TeamViewer. As long as you’re logged in with your TeamViewer account, you can connect to the machine without having to input a password from it.
To do so, on another device, open TeamViewer and make sure you’re signed in. Click the Computers & Contacts tab on the left (it looks like an address book) to show your list of machines. You should see the one you just added under the My Computers header.
Select it, then click Remote control (using password) to connect without any further authentication. If you choose Remote control (prompt for confirmation) instead, it will ask the other machine to confirm first.
Using Unattended Access With a Personal Password
If you prefer not to create a TeamViewer account for whatever reason, you can still use unattended access with a custom password. To do this, open TeamViewer on the computer that you want to access remotely and choose Extras > Options.
On the left sidebar, select Security and you’ll see a section labeled Personal password (for unattended access). Create a password here, enter it twice, and you can use that to connect to this machine from another computer running TeamViewer.
